Linda Cahan -- Gifts and Dec, 10/4/2011 7:29:10 AM
Linda CahanWorking non-stop in a store makes it difficult to get out and see what other people are doing. Here are six great ideas.
But before you begin: • Determine what you will need and set it up in your workspace. For a merchandising project, move merchandise out of the area you want to rework. • For a window display, pull the merchandise you plan on using. Keep plenty of back stock so you can sell pieces without removing the window merchandise right away. • Empty and clean the window (or in-store) area. This is the perfect time to do a thorough cleaning. • Work from back to front in the window and on the floor. • Before you finish the window display, set your lights. Make sure they are highlighting the front of your merchandise. Remember what makes most displays successful: color stories, clear themes, repetition of images and neatness.
1. Great Use of Cardboard Whoever does the visuals at Kissy Kissy in NYC deserves an A+ for these fabulous barnyard creatures. When I got up close, I saw that they are painted cardboard boxes with endearing faces. While these are being used to highlight children's clothing, imagine them for any type of gift, toy or accessory. People of all ages respond to the creativity and cute factor. Note the entire barn structure behind the cow and chicken. The details, while simple, are evocative and accurate. The green fabric floor successfully represents grass and the outdoors.
2. Hanging Around Basic handrail hardware and inexpensive closet dowels were used to create a hanging system at Vital Elements on San Juan Island, WA.
3. Great Knife Display While knives may not be your best sellers, they definitely are at Wenger in Boulder, CO. The use of stripped, sanded and oiled tree trunks with little knives sticking into them at all angles makes a compelling and artistic window display. If you carry any knives, think about using a wood log or sapling for a merchandising and display tool
4. Great Merchandising While I adore color on walls, if you must paint it all white, take a clue from Cursive located in Grand Central Terminal in NYC. The store's colorful merchandise is placed in geometric precision on white wood shelves. What makes it work is the mix of colors, shapes and the balance of lights and darks.
5. Great Use for a Ladder This simple ladder-like fixture at Paper Doll in Boulder, CO, works thanks to the bright green paint combined with the smart (and slightly funky) wood shelves. Bringing height into a window display is always a challenge and this simple fixture makes it easy and attractive. Repetitive images add to the sophistication of this window display.
6. Great Organization in a Small Space Cursive is both organized and easy to read through geometric merchandising mixed with some natural elements and an ornate but clear glass chandelier. The handy 90-degree placement of the merchandise makes it easy to shop in a hurry, while flowers and the chandelier soften the effect.
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Kids products that combine high play value and a design sensibility that blends with mom and dad's house are sure winners for specialty shops, who can market themselves as an alternative to cheap plastic imports and their problematic safety records.
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